PetAbility Podcast
PetAbility
This is a must-hear podcast for pet owners wanting access to the latest in pet quality of life and longevity. Whether your pet has fur, feathers, scales or shells, Cathy and Chris believe in treating your pet as a whole, both mind and body. Continuing a collaboration that began in 2003, Cathy and Chris share the gift of gab as well as their network in the pet rehab community. Using their vast expertise as Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioners (CCRPs), Cathy Symons CVT, CCRP, and Chris Cranston MPT, CCRP, offer relevant information and provocative interviews on their podcast, PetAbility. With an emphasis on mobility and independence, their show is about improving function, restoring confidence, alleviating fear, providing mental stimulation, and easing pain to help your pets live their best lives. Read on for more information about Cathy and Chris...
Cathy Symons is the author of Blind Devotion: Enhancing the Lives of Blind and Visually Impaired Dogs. She was inspired to write this book after her first pug, Booda, lost his sight at the age of seven. Several years later, Cathy adopted a blind pug named Digger and wrote a children’s book, Watching Out for Digger, which she uses as a teaching tool for young children to learn about living with a disabled dog.
After fifteen years of practice as a veterinary technician, Cathy went on to study canine rehabilitation at the University of Tennessee. In 2003, Cathy was one of the first thirty-six people in the world to become a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner. Shortly thereafter, Cathy was instrumental in establishing one of the foremost veterinary rehabilitation centers in the United States, the Sterling Impression Animal Rehabilitation Center of New England. She continues to follow the latest options in pet rehabilitation, including digital thermal imaging and laser therapy, and is currently working on her third book, Senior Dogs: Maintaining Mobility and Independence.
Cathy resides in the New England area with her husband and their pug, Mac. Mac is a very confident little nugget who enjoys doing nose work with his mom.
Chris Cranston has 20 years of experience in pet rehabilitation. She is excited to share her knowledge and reach a wide pet-loving audience through the PetAbility podcast. Chris loves seeing that light bulb go off when educating pet owners, so a podcast seemed like a natural fit.
Chris started her career as a physical therapist (PT) – with people. When she moved to the Boston area in 2002, she saw it as an opportunity to do something different, so she combined her existing PT skills with her passion for animals. Chris became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner through the University of Tennessee in 2004, one of the first 100 persons in the world to receive this certification. In addition to her CCRP designation, she has a Masters of Physical Therapy (1989) and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology (1987) from the University of Iowa.
Chris had a successful mobile practice, consulted with a myriad of general practices and specialty clinics, and started the physical rehabilitation service for a large multi-specialty and emergency organization in the Greater Boston region. All this was before founding FlowDog, a stand-alone, full-service small animal physical rehabilitation facility in Waltham, MA. In 2017, Chris sold her business to the esteemed Angell Animal Medical Center of Boston, and is now podcasting, consulting for a tech company in the veterinary space, providing concierge mobile pet rehab, and working getting a product to market that will help our pets. Of course, Chris prioritizes enriching the lives of her twin Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Julep & Baxter, while indulging in all the snuggles they are willing to share with her!
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Top 10 PetAbility Podcast Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best PetAbility Podcast episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to PetAbility Podcast for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite PetAbility Podcast episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Healing from Pet Loss through Gratitude with Mindy Meiering, LCSW
PetAbility Podcast
11/12/24 • 42 min
Gratitude can be a wonderful healer after we experience the loss of a beloved pet. Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Mindy Meiering, created the Rainbow Bridge Pet Loss Deck after she lost her own dog, Ellie, as a resource for others experiencing similar emotional pain. The Rainbow Bridge Pet Loss Deck is a therapeutic tool designed to provide emotional support, guidance, and reflection. Each card in the deck is stunningly designed with a beautiful and meaningful message – a gift for any person in your life who has recently experienced heartbreaking loss or may be facing the imminent loss of their animal family member. Along with a discussion on the cards, we discuss gratitude, mindfulness, self-compassion, memorialization, disenfranchised grief, and much more.
Click Rainbow Bridge Pet Loss Deck for more information about this valuable tool.
Click Mindy Meiering for more information about Mindy and her work.
Disclaimer
Check out VitalVet.org for all PetAbility Podcast episodes related to rehabilitation as well as a plethora of other resources and product information.
MedcoVet (show sponsor) - the next generation in laser therapy by putting healing in the hands of the pet owner!
By using the Promo Code PETPOD22, when placing your first order with any of our affiliate partners, you will receive 10% off and PetAbility receives 10% .
Dr. Buzby’s Toe Grips – dog nail grips to keep your dog from slipping! Extra love – use this link and the entire 20% goes to support our show!
HedzUpPets Watercollars – save your dog from drowning with this unique lightweight collar when around any body of water!
Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a must-have for cat owners and vet pros working with cats! Use PETPOD22 for $5 off your order.
Grooming to Maximize Health and Function with Meghan Terwilliger
PetAbility Podcast
12/29/20 • 56 min
“Humanity over vanity!” Grooming is much more important than just making sure your pet looks pretty or smells good. Grooming is vital to maximizing your pet’s overall health and well-being. No grooming or improper grooming can lead to pain, decreased mobility, skin and ear infections, issues with thermo-regulation, poor oral hygiene, and the list goes on. Most don’t realize that the groomer is in integral part of your pet’s care team. By bringing your pet to regular grooming appointments every 4-6 weeks, the groomer becomes a first line of defense – examining skin, coat, teeth, ears, and nails, finding things that may need attention long before your pet’s next scheduled veterinary appointment. As a certified fear-free groomer, Meghan does all this while making your pet’s experience as pleasant as possible, establishing trust, and changing their emotional response to grooming. She describes what a fear-free appointment might look like and how she works to make it a positive experience for your pet by inviting them to participate in the process. Meghan listens to what the dog is telling her, allowing her to work around any anxiety-producing issues. When your pet looks forward to grooming, it will more likely look forward to other experiences such as veterinary appointments. Finally, we get into the nitty gritty of salon safety, sanitary clips, senior comfort grooms, and the recommended frequency of bathing, brushing, and nail trims. By the way, Meghan bets your dog’s nail are too long!
Links mentioned in the show:
Check out Meghan's thriving grooming business at The Soggie Doggie.
Go to Fear Free Pets to learn more about this exciting shift in vet medicine.
For Meghan's "how to" on nail trim's, click nail trim video.
To see a puppy's first fear free groom, click here.
To learn more about Meghan, go to her Facebook and Instagram.
See Paw Mats to find the cushy, non-slip mats Meghan mentioned.
See the book Meghan's Creative Grooming work is featured in.
Disclaimer
Check out VitalVet.org for all PetAbility Podcast episodes related to rehabilitation as well as a plethora of other resources and product information.
MedcoVet (show sponsor) - the next generation in laser therapy by putting healing in the hands of the pet owner!
By using the Promo Code PETPOD22, when placing your first order with any of our affiliate partners, you will receive 10% off and PetAbility receives 10% .
Dr. Buzby’s Toe Grips – dog nail grips to keep your dog from slipping! Extra love – use this link and the entire 20% goes to support our show!
HedzUpPets Watercollars – save your dog from drowning with this unique lightweight collar when around any body of water!
Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a must-have for cat owners and vet pros working with cats! Use PETPOD22 for $5 off your order.
Prosthetics and Orthotics with OrthoPets founder, Martin Kaufmann
PetAbility Podcast
09/22/20 • 65 min
"It's always about the one." Those are the words from founder, Martin Kaufman, of OrthoPets. After helping more than 25,000 pets world-wide since its inception in 2003, Martin is still driven by serving that next pet in need. This podcast is packed with information: starting with describing what an orthotic (brace) and prosthetic (replacement limb segment) are, to learning if your pet might be a candidate, to the team-supported ordering process, and finally helping your pet adjust. Our pets naturally have the willingness and determination to succeed despite physical challenges they may face. We will discuss OrthoPets' most-requested and far superior custom knee brace for treatment of cruciate ligament tears as well as custom braces for elbows, wrists/paws, ankles/paws, and shoulders. Listen to how Naki'o, a dog who lost all of his limbs to frostbite, thrived after receiving four prosthetic limbs (first ever!) and simultaneously transformed Martin's thought processes. We'll even talk about the orthotic for a goat named Jerry! Yes, a goat! The bottom line is that orthotics for an injury and prosthetics for a partially missing limb are all about improving function, decreasing pain, and making mobility easier. And we have the opportunity and responsibility to provide an improved quality of life for them via an orthotic or prosthetic. Let's do this together!
Click here for more information about OrthoPets
OrthoPets Facebook link
OrthoPets Instagram link
Link to the ACORN Stifle Study done by University of Louisville here showing the effectiveness of one of OrthoPets most popular devices.
Disclaimer
Check out VitalVet.org for all PetAbility Podcast episodes related to rehabilitation as well as a plethora of other resources and product information.
MedcoVet (show sponsor) - the next generation in laser therapy by putting healing in the hands of the pet owner!
By using the Promo Code PETPOD22, when placing your first order with any of our affiliate partners, you will receive 10% off and PetAbility receives 10% .
Dr. Buzby’s Toe Grips – dog nail grips to keep your dog from slipping! Extra love – use this link and the entire 20% goes to support our show!
HedzUpPets Watercollars – save your dog from drowning with this unique lightweight collar when around any body of water!
Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a must-have for cat owners and vet pros working with cats! Use PETPOD22 for $5 off your order.
08/10/21 • 50 min
To go from normal vision to completely blind within days is what happens to dogs with Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome or SARDS. This disease is extremely scary and confusing, for both dog and owner. Unfortunately, SARDS is a syndrome with more questions than answers, but Dr. Freya Mowat, BVSc. Ph.D DECVO DAVCO, dedicates her work to learning more about this disease and other eye issues that impact not only dogs, but people, too. Although SARDS can affect any dog, the disease is neither painful nor life-shortening. Plus, dogs are incredible at adapting to their new set of circumstances and can continue to lead a high quality and enriching life full of joy. Just ask cohost Cathy – she has owned two pugs with SARDS!
Click on this link for more information about Dr. Mowat, SARDS, her research and ways to contribute, including a questionnaire if you'd like to be added to the list for upcoming studies.
Click on this link for cohost Cathy Symons information about living with blind dogs and her book, Blind Devotion, in Enable Your Pet.
Disclaimer
Check out VitalVet.org for all PetAbility Podcast episodes related to rehabilitation as well as a plethora of other resources and product information.
MedcoVet (show sponsor) - the next generation in laser therapy by putting healing in the hands of the pet owner!
By using the Promo Code PETPOD22, when placing your first order with any of our affiliate partners, you will receive 10% off and PetAbility receives 10% .
Dr. Buzby’s Toe Grips – dog nail grips to keep your dog from slipping! Extra love – use this link and the entire 20% goes to support our show!
HedzUpPets Watercollars – save your dog from drowning with this unique lightweight collar when around any body of water!
Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a must-have for cat owners and vet pros working with cats! Use PETPOD22 for $5 off your order.
Petiquette: Manners Matter with Amy Campbell, CPDT-KA
PetAbility Podcast
07/13/21 • 43 min
We all know what proper etiquette is, but have you ever thought about proper petiquette with your dog? Let's be real, it is an absolute privilege to partner with our pet in the community. Let's not blow it - manners really do matter!! Listen as Amy Campbell, certified professional dog trainer, shares her tried and tested tips and useful insights as it pertains to appropriate greetings with other dogs and people, dog body language (your dog's and other dogs), recognizing a dog's social intelligence, poop patrol, proper use of the leash, and much more.
Click here to find out more about Amy and her place of business!
Disclaimer
Check out VitalVet.org for all PetAbility Podcast episodes related to rehabilitation as well as a plethora of other resources and product information.
MedcoVet (show sponsor) - the next generation in laser therapy by putting healing in the hands of the pet owner!
By using the Promo Code PETPOD22, when placing your first order with any of our affiliate partners, you will receive 10% off and PetAbility receives 10% .
Dr. Buzby’s Toe Grips – dog nail grips to keep your dog from slipping! Extra love – use this link and the entire 20% goes to support our show!
HedzUpPets Watercollars – save your dog from drowning with this unique lightweight collar when around any body of water!
Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a must-have for cat owners and vet pros working with cats! Use PETPOD22 for $5 off your order.
Canine Cognition with Emily Bray, PhD
PetAbility Podcast
09/20/22 • 60 min
Have you ever wondered how dogs think or problem-solve? Listen as Dr. Emily Bray gives insights to these very topics! She researches canine cognition, or how dogs acquire, store, and use information. She explains how cognition is different from temperament or intelligence, yet each influences the other. Dr. Bray studies everything from impulse control to detecting warning signs of cognitive decline to the ability for dogs to read human cues to the influence of maternal styles on the future success of guide dogs. We hope you find this episode as engaging and entertaining as we did!
Find Dr. Bray on Twitter @DrEmilyBray or her website: emilyebray.com.
Disclaimer
Check out VitalVet.org for all PetAbility Podcast episodes related to rehabilitation as well as a plethora of other resources and product information.
MedcoVet (show sponsor) - the next generation in laser therapy by putting healing in the hands of the pet owner!
By using the Promo Code PETPOD22, when placing your first order with any of our affiliate partners, you will receive 10% off and PetAbility receives 10% .
Dr. Buzby’s Toe Grips – dog nail grips to keep your dog from slipping! Extra love – use this link and the entire 20% goes to support our show!
HedzUpPets Watercollars – save your dog from drowning with this unique lightweight collar when around any body of water!
Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a must-have for cat owners and vet pros working with cats! Use PETPOD22 for $5 off your order.
Pet Emergencies: There's an App for That! with Dr. Matthew Minson and Mr. Jacorey Brown
PetAbility Podcast
09/06/22 • 41 min
We've all been there... it's the middle of the night on the Friday of a holiday weekend and your beloved pet is suddenly very ill... and you're on vacation! You're worried sick that she won't make it through the night, you are stressed trying to console her, and you have no idea where the closest veterinary emergency center is or if it's even open. This scenario and others like it occur more often than we care to think. Did you know there is now an app called the Minson's Guide to Veterinary Hospitals, to help you locate the nearest 24/7 emergency vet center? With the touch of a few buttons, you not only know exactly where to go, but also the phone number so the emergency center knows to expect you! The app also includes Veterinary Schools by state as a resource for specialties that your pet may need. It's simple, it's fast, it’s accurate, and it's a must-have for every pet owner!
For more information, please visit Minson'sGuide.com
Disclaimer
Check out VitalVet.org for all PetAbility Podcast episodes related to rehabilitation as well as a plethora of other resources and product information.
MedcoVet (show sponsor) - the next generation in laser therapy by putting healing in the hands of the pet owner!
By using the Promo Code PETPOD22, when placing your first order with any of our affiliate partners, you will receive 10% off and PetAbility receives 10% .
Dr. Buzby’s Toe Grips – dog nail grips to keep your dog from slipping! Extra love – use this link and the entire 20% goes to support our show!
HedzUpPets Watercollars – save your dog from drowning with this unique lightweight collar when around any body of water!
Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a must-have for cat owners and vet pros working with cats! Use PETPOD22 for $5 off your order.
Massage: Getting the FEEL for it!
PetAbility Podcast
05/17/22 • 57 min
Ahhhh.... the laying on of the hands, therapeutic touch, massage - it's more powerful than you might think. Listen to Cathy and Chris describe preparing for a massage session with your pet, getting your pet's consent, the myriad of massage benefits, specific massage techniques, and generally how to get the most out of the time spent massaging your pet. Packed with information, your methods are bound to improve after listening to this show. And remember, practice makes perfect, so go forth with confidence and get your hands on your pets - you'll be glad you did and they'll thank you for it!
Check out our massage video that demonstrates small animal massage in action!
See Cathy performing skin rolling here!
Disclaimer
Check out VitalVet.org for all PetAbility Podcast episodes related to rehabilitation as well as a plethora of other resources and product information.
MedcoVet (show sponsor) - the next generation in laser therapy by putting healing in the hands of the pet owner!
By using the Promo Code PETPOD22, when placing your first order with any of our affiliate partners, you will receive 10% off and PetAbility receives 10% .
Dr. Buzby’s Toe Grips – dog nail grips to keep your dog from slipping! Extra love – use this link and the entire 20% goes to support our show!
HedzUpPets Watercollars – save your dog from drowning with this unique lightweight collar when around any body of water!
Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a must-have for cat owners and vet pros working with cats! Use PETPOD22 for $5 off your order.
Wink, the Incredibull!!!, with Anneliese DeAragon
PetAbility Podcast
04/19/22 • 58 min
Wink, is a beautiful pit bull aptly named due to her "perma-wink." She lost her eye at 5 weeks old and doesn't see far away or in low light very well with the remaining eye. She is also completely deaf, likely linked to her pure white coloring and unethical breeding practices. It is a miracle that Wink escaped euthanasia as a young pup. But according to Wink and her owner Anneliese, she is still a dog much like any other. An incredibully smart dog that participates in agility, nose work, bike joring, obedience, sled pulling, canicross, and tricks! Listen to learn more about incredibull Wink and her enriched, fulfilled, joyful life. Spoiler alert: Wink was voted into the top sixteen on World's Most Amazing Dog in 2019! Don't tell Wink she is different and therefore can't do something. She will just prove you wrong!
Find Wink on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram @incredibulltrickdogs
Find Anneliese DeAragon at All Breed Rescue and Training in Colorado Springs, CO.
Click Keller's Cause for more information on deaf and blind dogs. Their mission is to change the world for double merle dogs by educating, advocating, and promoting the adoption of special needs dogs.
Click here for the article as Wink vies for Worlds Most Amazing Dog.
Disclaimer
Check out VitalVet.org for all PetAbility Podcast episodes related to rehabilitation as well as a plethora of other resources and product information.
MedcoVet (show sponsor) - the next generation in laser therapy by putting healing in the hands of the pet owner!
By using the Promo Code PETPOD22, when placing your first order with any of our affiliate partners, you will receive 10% off and PetAbility receives 10% .
Dr. Buzby’s Toe Grips – dog nail grips to keep your dog from slipping! Extra love – use this link and the entire 20% goes to support our show!
HedzUpPets Watercollars – save your dog from drowning with this unique lightweight collar when around any body of water!
Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a must-have for cat owners and vet pros working with cats! Use PETPOD22 for $5 off your order.
The upTICK of Lyme Disease! with Drs. Kathryn Duncan and Laura Greene
PetAbility Podcast
06/27/23 • 59 min
Ticks are everywhere! Ticks carry bacteria that cause diseases, most notably Lyme Disease. Listen to our esteemed guests from Merck Animal Health, Kathryn Duncan, DVM, PhD, DACVM, an expert in parasitology, and Laura Greene, DVM, DACVIM, an expert in internal medicine, as they educate us about what we need to know. They lend their individual expertise to discuss the following and more:
- How Lyme Disease is transmitted;
- The common signs and symptoms to look for;
- How Lyme Disease is diagnosed;
- The treatment options available for our pets;
- How to prevent Lyme Disease with a recommended multimodal approach; and
- The best method of tick removal and disposal.
Resources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC)
Tick Encounter - The University of Rhode Island
Companion Animal Parasite Council
For more information, visit www.merck-animal-health.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Disclaimer
Check out VitalVet.org for all PetAbility Podcast episodes related to rehabilitation as well as a plethora of other resources and product information.
MedcoVet (show sponsor) - the next generation in laser therapy by putting healing in the hands of the pet owner!
By using the Promo Code PETPOD22, when placing your first order with any of our affiliate partners, you will receive 10% off and PetAbility receives 10% .
Dr. Buzby’s Toe Grips – dog nail grips to keep your dog from slipping! Extra love – use this link and the entire 20% goes to support our show!
HedzUpPets Watercollars – save your dog from drowning with this unique lightweight collar when around any body of water!
Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a must-have for cat owners and vet pros working with cats! Use PETPOD22 for $5 off your order.
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FAQ
How many episodes does PetAbility Podcast have?
PetAbility Podcast currently has 125 episodes available.
What topics does PetAbility Podcast cover?
The podcast is about Pets & Animals, Dogs, Kids & Family, Cats, Podcasts, Education and Birds.
What is the most popular episode on PetAbility Podcast?
The episode title 'Behavior Analysis with Dr. Terri Bright' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on PetAbility Podcast?
The average episode length on PetAbility Podcast is 53 minutes.
How often are episodes of PetAbility Podcast released?
Episodes of PetAbility Podcast are typically released every 14 days.
When was the first episode of PetAbility Podcast?
The first episode of PetAbility Podcast was released on Mar 23, 2020.
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